Players

Walter Downing

Year Inducted: 1993

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations:

(New Lenox) Providence Catholic High School

DePaul University/Marquette University

NBA:  Lakers

Biography:

Walter Downing holds the honor of being the first to be named as Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois in 1981.  Walter, at 6’8″ and 215 lbs., played center for (New Lenox) Providence Catholic High School.  He was a four year varsity player and three of the teams made it to the IHSA Elite Eight, winning the state title in 1979, placing third in 1978, and losing to the eventual state champion, Madison HS in 1981.  In 1980, the team lost to eventual state champion Luther South in the sectional.

With Downing as its center, Providence earned a record of 108-19 during his 4 seasons.  During his senior year, Walter scored 20.5 ppg, grabbed 10 rpg and blocked 6 shots per game.  He set the state tournament record for blocked shots.  Once, as a junior, he blocked 21 shots in a game.

Walter played his first two years of college at DePaul University before transferring and finishing his final two seasons at Marquette University.  His college career spanned 114 games played.  He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA but did not play in the league.

Walter became a highly respected English teacher at Hinsdale South High School.